Angry: Patsy Sanaghan and Judith McGinness outside the alleged source of their noise issue.
By John Van Klaveren
NORTH Geelong and Rippleside residents are frustrated at EPA inaction over their long-standing noise complaint.
A neighbours group of more than 20 residents says it has been working with the agency for more than 12 months to rectify the “deafening” noise.
Group spokesperson Patsy Sanaghan said the residents had turned to Geelong MP Ian Trezise for help.
She said the main noise culprit appeared to be a Godfrey Hirst factory in Corio Quay Rd.
“It’s a humming drone that goes on all night and sometimes it’s impossible to sleep,” Ms Sanaghan said.
“Residents have driven around the area at various times of the night to trace the noise. There are other industries in the area, but nothing like the noise coming from Godfrey Hirst.”
“We set up a relationship with the EPA and were assured our concerns were valid. They even set up noise loggers in resident’s homes.
“But we’ve now lost confidence in the EPA to address our concerns.
“This problem has been reported for many years. It’s not the first time residents have gone through this process to find no action has been taken.”
The EPA included the issue in its annual compliance plan as part of three local strategic initiatives for the Barwon south-west region.
“A number of industries in the north Geelong area are potential contributors to recorded exceedances of State Environment Protection Policy,” the plan said.
“EPA will do further investigation of noise sources in the area to determine the relative contribution of different premises and require appropriate improvements at each site.”
Mr Trezise said the EPA assured him 12 months ago the issue would be rectified.
“Skip forward to today and I’m disappointed to learn the issue is still an on-going concern,” Mr Trezise said.
“I met with the residents on Monday and they expressed their anger. I completely understand their anger.
“I have now convened a meeting for October 29 with the EPA and residents to put in place actions to ensure this is resolved as soon as possible.”
An EPA spokesperson said residents were asked to record their observations of noise to help officers in the area monitor and investigate sources.
